First-Ever Meta-Analysis of Exoskeleton Technologies Concludes Powered Exoskeleton Systems Permit Safe Ambulation in Real-Life Settings and Produce Health Benefits
YOKNEAM ILIT,
The report is published in the most recent edition of Medical Devices: Evidence and Research, and is co-authored by
The authors offer a number of key conclusions:
- 76% of patients studied were able to ambulate without any physical assistance from another human being following completion of the exoskeleton training program.
- Powered exoskeleton systems allow patients a safe means of ambulation conducive to prolonged use.
- Routine use of the exoskeleton system is known to yield health benefits, including improvement in muscle spasticity and bowel movement regularity.
"This expansive, industry-wide review of published data offers critical confirmation of the multiple documented benefits of powered exoskeletons for the SCI community. We are pleased to see a growing acceptance and declaration of ReWalk and other exoskeleton systems as proven technologies with clear health benefits to customers. As the market leader in our industry, ReWalk will continue to work with the SCI community, health care providers and insurance providers, sharing the large body of published data to help support treatment and reimbursement decisions," said
The authors expand upon the conclusions about health benefits for the user of powered exoskeleton systems in their report:
"In addition, several other benefits may accrue to SCI patients as a result of intermittent standing and habitual ambulating activity with the powered exoskeleton, including increasing upper body muscular fitness, minimizing declines in bone mineral density by periodic exposure to gravitational and muscular loading forces, improved circulatory response, and countering the independent health risks associated with prolonged sitting. Indeed, clinically relevant improvements were found in self-reports for muscle spasticity and bowel movement regularity following exoskeleton training. A potential focus for future research would be to assess the long-term health and cost benefits associated with chronic powered exoskeleton use. Assuming regular exoskeleton use sufficient to yield the aforementioned health benefits, it is likely that the initial expense of providing personal exoskeletons for home use to individuals with SCI (typically
Notably, the analysis and systematic review did not identify any serious adverse events, and reports a low incidence rate of tethered falls and fractures subsequently addressed by refinements to exoskeleton design and patient selection criteria.
ReWalk is the first exoskeleton technology in the U.S. to receive
To read the meta-analysis, see: https://www.dovepress.com/clinical-effectiveness-and-safety-of-powered-exoskeleton-assisted-walk-peer-reviewed-article-MDER.
For more about ReWalk, please visit: www.rewalk.com
About ReWalk Personal 6.0
ReWalk Personal 6.0 is a wearable robotic exoskeleton that provides powered hip and knee motion to enable individuals with spinal cord injury to stand upright and walk. The system provides user-initiated mobility through the integration of a wearable brace support, a computer-based control system and motion sensors. The system allows independent, controlled walking similar to a natural gait pattern of the legs. The ReWalk device is the most studied exoskeleton in the industry
About
ReWalk® is a registered trademark of
Forward Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements may include projections regarding ReWalk's future performance and, in some cases, may be identified by words like "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future," "will," "seek" and similar terms or phrases. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management's current expectations, which are subject to uncertainty, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of ReWalk's control. Important factors that could cause ReWalk's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others: ReWalk's expectations regarding future growth, including its ability to increase sales in its existing geographic markets and to expand to new markets; ReWalk's ability to maintain and grow its reputation and to achieve and maintain market acceptance of its products; ReWalk's ability to achieve reimbursement from third-party payors for its products; ReWalk's expectations as to its clinical research program and clinical results; ReWalk's ability to improve its products, develop new products; ReWalk's ability to maintain adequate protection of its intellectual property and to avoid violation of the intellectual property rights of others; ReWalk's ability to repay its secured indebtedness; ReWalk's ability to gain and maintain regulatory approvals; ReWalk's ability to maintain relationships with existing customers and develop relationships with new customers; and other factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in ReWalk's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
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SOURCE
Jennifer Wlach, 202-261-4000, jwlacj@mercuryllc.com; Investor Relations Contact: Lisa M. Wilson, In-Site Communications, Inc., 917-543-9932, lwilson@insitecony.com